Westwego employees to pay more for insurance

WESTWEGO, La. (AP) — Westwego and its municipal employees will pay more for health insurance coverage this year under a new plan approved by the city council.

Mayor Johnny Shaddinger blamed several factors for the increase, from the federal Affordable Care Act to the small size of Westwego's insured group.

The city employs fewer than 110 people, who are covered under the United Healthcare plan. The plan also extends benefits to retirees.

The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/1eMsBfJ ) an employee with a covered family can expect to pay $262 more per year for health insurance under the new rate schedule approved Monday night. An employee without family coverage can expect to pay $82 more, while employee-and-spouse coverage will increase $33.

Shaddinger says deductibles will be higher too. Individual deductibles will be $500, family deductibles $1,000.